General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has demonstrated software that will provide in-flight target updates that will enable the MQ-9B SeaGuardian® Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) to close gaps on maritime targets.
In a recent ground test, GA-ASI demonstrated the ability to send sensor data to the missile via Link 16 messaging. The software, part of General Atomics’ Quadratix software enterprise, was validated in a Systems Integration Lab and is gearing up for a live-fire demonstration later this year.
Being able to fire and use SeaGuardian for targeting will significantly enhance the aircraft’s mission set. GA-ASI first showcased its targeting capability for SeaGuardian during the U.S. Navy’s Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024.
SeaGuardian is a maritime derivative of GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SkyGuardian® and remains the first UAS to offer multi-domain Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting (ISR&T) as an internal payload that can search the ocean’s surface and its depths in support of Fleet Operations.
With strong demand already in place, GA-ASI anticipates increasing interest in the MQ-9B SeaGuardian® because it delivers high-end maritime capabilities at a significantly lower cost than traditional manned maritime platforms.
GA-ASI President David R. Alexander commented, “We continue to build on the innovative capabilities of SeaGuardian for the U.S. Navy. The targeting we’ve demonstrated will be especially valuable in contested environments, enabling an unmanned asset like SeaGuardian to be used for higher-risk missions instead of putting manned assets at risk.”
